The following seeks to explain, in non-technical terms, the benefits of using GIS in public policy analysis as well as in public education and awareness using GIS materials. Which is easier to use, a page full of numbers and other bits of data, or a map that shows with pinpoint accuracy where important geographical features are in relation to the surrounding area? Of course the answer is the map. A GIS can provide just that. A GIS (Geographic Information System) is a computer system consisting of hardware and software which can store, analyze, manage and display data in a spatial format. Essentially, this means a GIS can manipulate data from a database and place the data on its corresponding coordinates on a map. By utilizing a GIS, one can chose which information is desired from a database, and put it on a map that represents the area from which the data was retrieved. The GIS can also manipulate the data, so that only the data that is needed is placed on the map. It can also overlay several different sets of data on one map to show the interaction between to sets of data, such as water run off and the location of farmland. With a GIS, a person can see the locations of any natural resources that need to be examined. For example, if you need to look at areas in your county which can perk for a stand-alone septic tank, just plug the data into a GIS and see in full detail the areas that can either perk or will need a sewer system. Do you need to see from where creeks get their run-off water? Have the information put into a GIS. Not only can you then see where the water flows, but other important details can also be added to the map, such as the locations of farms in the area or where there may be an overabundance of soil erosion. Imagine that you wanted to know if the site of a proposed housing development was suitable for building. With a GIS, you could have all of the necessary information on one convenient map and look it all at the same time. You could tell in an instant just by looking at a map if the land perked, what the zoning requirements were, if there were any endangered species in the area, you name it. Seeing is believing. Since a GIS is as easy to use as a regular map, most anyone can use a GIS. So not only is it a useful tool in creating policy, it can also be a useful tool in educating the public on policy matters. Your average Joe is not going to understand several pages full of complicated land-use data, but he will be able to understand a simple map, with a simple map key to explain the different areas within the map. If the map has the streets in the area on it, then citizens can not only see the information you wish to convey, but how close it is to where they live. People want to know if someone is building in their backyard. People are just as interested to know if something will not effect them. For instance, the local citizenry may be more inclined to agree to a zoning change if they could see with their own eyes which properties will be effected. It may be much harder to convince the local population with a large batch of numbers, or a simple assurance that you are telling them the truth. GIS can be used for a wide variety of tasks. It can be used for simple tasks such as street mapping, which is useful for address matching as well as making evacuation plans. GIS can be used for natural resources management. With a GIS, one can see in detail the different types of natural resource areas, including wildlife habitation, forests, rivers, streams, and wetlands. For facilities management, one can show exactly where such items as underground cables and sewer pipes are, in relation to there geographic location, as well as where they are located in relation to other items, such as people's street addresses. Land management is also made easier by GIS, which can give exact detail to the location of zoning areas, give ownership details, as well as help with such tasks as water quality management and environmental impact studies. GIS is a very important tool for the policy maker. It can show as little or as much detail as needed in a form most people can understand. With its ability to be easily understood, GIS enables policy makers to take the information to the public. This allows the public the opportunity not only to understand what is going on, but enables the public to be able to offer informed feedback, which is as important to the policy politician as it is to the policy analyst.